Lactation and Breastfeeding Support

Although breastfeeding is natural, learning does not come easily for all new moms, and sometimes even experienced moms may struggle with an unexpected issue. We offer personal consultations with you and your baby during your stay at the St. Mary’s Family Birth Center, and free follow-ups after you are discharged. It is our goal to help you succeed! Please feel free to call (706) 389-3310 for more information.

Our Mission

Facilitate mothers to be educated, confident, and empowered to achieve their breastfeeding goals through comprehensive lactation support.

Our Vision

For mothers to feel comfortable nurturing their babies through breastfeeding exclusively by providing support as their infants grow.

Our Goal

Provide quality lactation support through hands on help and education. Promote continued support after discharge through weekly breastfeeding support groups.

Lactation Consultants

Laura Crowe, BSHP, RLC, IBCLC

Mallary King, ASN, RN, IBCLC

The Sacred Hour

The Sacred Hour is reserved for mother and baby to rest and begin bonding shortly after birth. It’s a quiet time when we encourage mother and baby to be alone together with only one support person present. After this hour is complete, visitors are welcome at your discretion.

During the Sacred Hour, mother and baby will be skin-to-skin. This helps regulate your baby’s temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and blood sugar levels. Some other benefits of skin-to-skin contact during the Sacred Hour include:

Easier adjustment for your baby
Increased bonding with your baby, and
Early initiation of breastfeeding

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Tips for Breastfeeding

Myths of Breastfeeding

What Is Sacred Hour?

Lactation Support

Lactation support will be provided to you 24 hours a day. All nurses are trained to assist with breastfeeding. Call (706) 389-3310 for more information.

Breastfeeding and Pumping Support

At St. Mary's Family Birth Center, our entire staff strives to educate each pregnant patient and new mother about the benefits and management of breastfeeding, as well as the nutritional benefits of breastmilk for infants. We make every effort to assist mothers in initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth, and encourage breastfeeding on demand. At St. Mary's we will not give your baby formula or other drink, unless medically necessary or as directed by the parents. The private rooming-in Labor-Delivery-Recovery-Postpartum rooms in St. Mary's Family Birth Center promote mothers and infants remaining together 24 hours a day.

Pumping Resources

For a variety of reasons, some mothers are unable to breastfeed. When this happens, some choose to exclusively feed their babies breastmilk via pumping. While you are an inpatient at St. Mary's Hospital, we have hospital grade breast pumps and new/sterile accessory kits you may utilize throughout your and your little one's stay. Once you and your baby are both discharged from St. Mary's, high quality breast pumps are sold at reputable distributors throughout Athens.